Football: Philo, Tri-Valley ready for Round 2

Tri-Valley’s Andrew Newsom carries the ball during a 42-7 win against Zanesville earlier this season at John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium. Newsom leads the Tri-Valley offense as it matches 3-1 records with Philo on Friday at Jack Anderson Stadium.(Photo: Chris Crook/Times Recorder)Buy Photo

They played one of 2016's biggest games, a 7-0 thriller at Sam Hatfield Stadium that gave the Scotties a share of the Muskingum Valley League title. It was the Scotties' 12th straight win against the Electrics.

The title isn't on the line this time, but the game still figures to have plenty of ramifications. Both teams enter unbeaten in the MVL but four others are just one game back.

Tri-Valley overcame Week 1 injuries to top starters Caleb Craig and Nathan Lawler to win three straight games, and both have since returned. The defense has yielded only 17 points in that stretch.

Philo has also won three straight since its opener, leaning on a defense led by end Lane Deal, linebacker Nick Hoffer and safety Isaac Gill. The first-team didn't allow a point against Crooksville and West Muskingum and forced five turnovers in last week's 28-17 win against John Glenn.

Maysville at John Glenn

Both teams stand one game back in the MVL and need wins to keep pace.

Justin Heacock had four interceptions in last week's loss to Philo, but he still leads the area in passing after a 264-yard effort last week.

Fullback Carson Jarrett ran for 227 yards last week against New Lex, including an 81-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that clinched the game. Of senior quarterback Connor Sidwell's five completions, three went for touchdowns.

John Glenn won last year's meeting, 21-14, but Maysville has won two of the last three meetings and four of the past six.

John Glenn will also recognize the 2017 Hall of Fame class of Aaron Bates, Logan Hursey Bates and John Kelley.

Miami Trace at Zanesville

The Blue Devils have lost three straight games since its season-opening win against rival Newark, as their offense has managed only 28 points against teams with a combined record of 10-2.